How business card templates are the way ahead!

This is the first in a new series of articles for us, and on this occasion we’re going to be discussing business cards – their origins, their purpose in our digital age, the importance of getting the design right and how templates can help.

The origins of modern Business Cards

We all know what they are and what they’re for … or do we? And are we being imaginative enough when we design them today? Let’s take a quick walk through their history, which might give us some useful pointers. There is some evidence that they originated in China as long ago as the 15th century, but certainly an early variation was in widespread use in Europe by the 17th century as a ‘Visiting Card’. These cards would announce the arrival of a distinguished guest, and were roughly the size of a modern playing card. As we reach high society in the 19th century, these cards – now known as ‘Calling Cards’ – were kept on a card tray in the hall, showing off one’s long list of visitors and more practically reminding the owners who they needed to pay a return visit to. We can imagine Darcy, or any number of characters from Dickens novels, presenting their cards to a servant at the door!

And so to the present day, where business cards are exchanged with very little formality and generally contain simple contact information only. Just think about your own experience in giving and receiving them, and then contrast that with Asian custom where the giving and receiving of cards is not to be taken lightly but with great respect and care!

Why use Business Cards at all any more?

In this age of the internet and social media and virtually instantaneous availability of information; of Smartphone apps and a host of digital contact systems; and on-line networking hubs like LinkedIn, is the business card dead or alive?

Well, to put things into perspective, in the United States alone nearly 28 million business cards are printed a DAY, in a business worth over $3 billion annually. That’s a lot of cards!

It’s much more than tradition that drives volumes like this – there are some very practical reasons, including the small size of the card which can be kept in a purse or wallet and be readily accessible (and stored digitally later if required); its use as a reminder or memento; their use as a “who’s who?” if you’re in a meeting with people you’ve never met before and you arrange the cards in front of you carefully; and perhaps most importantly of all the mutual recognition and invitation to stay in touch. The list goes on …

… but there’s a sobering statistic to follow, that almost 90% of business cards are discarded in less than a week!

So if you’re convinced of the need for them, how can you make yours memorable?

The 3 essential characteristics of a superb business card

Design

Design

Design

Seriously, it’s as simple as this. Once again, think about the business cards you’ve been given or seen that you didn’t throw away within a week (if you’ve seen any). What was it about them that was so special? It’s fair to say that it probably wasn’t the contact information itself was it? It was how they looked … and perhaps even how they felt!

It’s an old adage, but none the worse for that, that

“you only make a first impression once”

So you need to think carefully about how you’re going to make your cards stand out … and not be one of the 90%.

This is where business card templates can be very helpful – avoiding the time and cost of a creative process because the hard work has already been done for you.

Look at some of these designs from our web site to get an idea:

The fact is, there are numerous imaginative designs like this on our web-site, covering all types of business and personal endeavours …

… and the other really bit of good news is, it’s incredibly to do, all on-line!

You have other options too, like our “Really Thick Business Cards” – which will certainly make a positive impression!

So how do you get business cards this good?

It’s easy 🙂

You just click here, or give us a call on 0115 895 0123 … and we’ll be absolutely delighted to help you, and work with you to create your perfect business card.